Nursing Specialty 2 (NURS90113)

This subject is designed to promote advanced theoretical knowledge to support safe, patient-centred care for nurses practicing in clinical environments. This subject builds upon the knowledge and skills learnt in Nursing Speciality 1 to consolidate and extend the integration of theoretical aspects of specialty nursing to advanced knowledge in patient assessment, management of deterioration and evaluation of care. It expands the student's knowledge with regard to the high prevalence and high risk conditions encountered in cardiac and respiratory diseases, the complexity of disease processes, treatments (including pharmacology), symptoms and symptom management, and subsequent nursing assessments, health management, and supporting technical skills. Students also learn how to anticipate, identify and manage patients with acute alterations in health, including recognising and responding to the deteriorating patient. There is a continued emphasis on scientific principles and research evidence underpinning practice and further developing skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, rational inquiry and self-directed learning to work with people affected by acute and chronic disease to find quality strategies in specialty practice.